BEEVILLE – City Council members approved a zone change request Tuesday, July 9, for property just west of North Lightburne Street.

The vacant property in that area is zoned for R-1, first one family housing.

But a Celina real estate developer, Bobby Apple, has purchase the land and wants to build a 42-structure subdivision at that location with a mix of single-family homes and duplexes.

Apple met with members of Beeville’s Planning and Zoning Commission on July 3, and the board unanimously voted to recommend that the council approve his zone change request.

Apple promised to build only one-story homes and duplexes on the east side of a new street he intends to build at that location.

He will call the street Amistad.

Two-story homes and duplexes will be built on the west side of the street.

Apple said duplexes will sell for between $200,000 and $230,000, and sing-family homes would sell for between $110,000 and $150,000.

The developer intends to build the subdivision in stages.

Council members also voted to accept the voluntary annexation of La Quinta Suites into the city.

Developer Ajit David also had approached the planning commission at its earlier meeting this month, and his request for annexation was approved for the council to consider.

In other business the council voted to:

— Contract with Lee Salazar for curb and gutter work on FM 673 at the Texas Star convenience store location.

City Street Superintendent Albert Bridge said a drainage structure was damaged at that location by heavy garbage trucks, and the city will be reimbursed for the work by Allied Waste in the form of a credit for the use of large, roll-off containers during Beeville’s annual Spring Clean.

— Approve a request to reduce the sewer service fee for the Bee Development Authority at the Chase Field Industrial and Airport Complex.

— Release $20,000 of a $40,000 stipend from the city’s Hotel and Motel Occupancy Fund to Fiesta Bee County for advertising and temporary signs for its annual Diez y Seis five kilometer run.

— Appoint the city’s new finance director, Caron Vela, as one of the city’s authorized TEXPOOL representatives.

— Approve a $5,000 grant for facade improvements on a new law office in downtown Beeville.

— Authorize Ballí to negotiate for the purchase of a 4,400 square foot building at 602 N. Washington St. for additional office space for city employees.

— Allow the city to spend $9,865.80 to make repairs of a clarifier at the city’s Chase Field wastewater treatment plant.

Gary Kent is a reporter at the Bee-Picayune and can be reached at 358-2550, ext. 120, or at reporter@mySouTex.com.